08-05-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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WS – 1 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 1 Date: August 5, 2019 To: City Council From: Jeff Karlson, City Administrator Re: Small Wireless Facilities Background The next generation of wireless services (called 5G) will require wireless providers to install a large amount of lower hanging antennas connected to fiber optic cable that will allow wireless providers to provide significantly higher internet speeds. The facilities needed to provide 5G service are called small wireless facilities. The use of the word “small” is used to describe the area covered by each antenna, not the size of the facilities. Small wireless facilities include antennas, equipment cabinets, vertical conduit, power supplies, etc. Typically, small wireless facilities are attached to utilities poles, such as a light pole in the public right-of-way. Over the past two years, the Minnesota legislature enacted a new small wireless facility law and the FCC has released a small wireless facility order. These actions have placed new restrictions on how cities may handle applications to install small cell facilities. These restrictions include review and approval deadlines and limitations on fees. The City of Lino Lakes participated in a group of Minnesota cities to engage the municipal telecommunications law firm of Bradley Law, LLC to draft a model small wireless facility ordinance to help the City comply with the new laws and to prepare for the anticipated applications to install small wireless facilities in the City. Bradley Law submitted a model ordinance, which was subsequently customized for use by the City. The following is a high level summary of the small wireless facility ordinance. Ordinance Summary • Requires all wireless providers to obtain a small wireless facility permit from public works prior to installing any small wireless facilities in the City. • Directs the Public Services Director to develop a permit application form, and additional design standards, construction standards, aesthetic standards, and other permit requirements. • Sets initial general standards for small wireless facilities. • Sets forth the application process from start to finish. • Establishes mandatory conditions for all permits. • Provides the term of all small wireless facility permits.